Local

Gay burglar arrested after Twitter postings

Man allegedly broke into Bentley condos, used computer

Published

11 years ago

February 11, 2016

Lou Chibbaro Jr.

(Image public domain)

A gay man charged on Feb. 1 with five counts of burglary was identified by police as a suspect in a series of break-ins at businesses in downtown D.C. in December and January, according to a police arrest affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court.

The affidavit says Thomas Matthew Collodel, 33, was tracked down after he allegedly broke into the upscale Bentley condominium apartment building at 1328 14th Street, N.W. on Dec. 30 and used a computer at the concierge desk to log on to his Twitter account.

“The computer’s browser history indicated that the computer recently had been used to access a Twitter page,” the affidavit says. It says the page was Collodel’s Twitter page and included photos of him that enabled police to identify him from separate photos captured of him by the Bentley’s security cameras.

According to the affidavit, security cameras enabled police to identify Collodel as the alleged burglar at several other downtown and Dupont Circle area businesses in December and January, including the Iron Gate restaurant at 1734 N St., N.W. and an office building at 1525 M St., N.W.

A separate police affidavit says Collodel put up a violent struggle when police spotted him on Jan. 30 walking at 15th and N Streets, N.W. and attempted to arrest him. The affidavit says Collodel attempted to punch one of the officers and kicked the officer several times in the groin area before he was subdued and placed in handcuffs.

“A capped syringe was recovered from defendant Collodel’s person” at the time of his arrest, the affidavit says.

Charging documents show he was later charged with assaulting a police officer in addition to the burglary charges.

Yet another police affidavit dated Feb. 1 says Collodel allegedly “severely damaged” a bathroom at Howard University Hospital at some point after being taken there following his arrest. The affidavit doesn’t mention why he was taken to the hospital.

“The sink and underlying pipes were almost entirely destroyed and water was rushing from the pipes,” the affidavit says. “The light fixture in the ceiling had been ripped away and the metal electrical box, to which the fixture had been mounted, was dangling from the ceiling by electrical wire,” it says.

Court records show that on Feb. 4 D.C. Superior Court Judge Joseph Beshouri ordered Collodel released from jail, where he had been held since the time of his arrest, and ordered he be placed at a halfway house. He is scheduled to appear at a felony status hearing on March 1.

Neither Collodel nor his attorney, University of the District of Columbia law professor Colin Durham, could be reached for comment.

Although previous court records listed Collodel as a resident of McLean, Va., the current court charging documents say he had no fixed address.

People who know him say he has posted messages on various social media sites in recent years indicating he was gay and was seeking to meet other men for dates.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 day ago

September 2, 2026

Staff reports

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

2 days ago

September 1, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Monday (9/7)

The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.

Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.

Maryland

Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names

Conservative groups challenged system’s policy

Published

2 days ago

September 1, 2026

Baltimore Banner

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has issued new internal guidance for students who ask to be addressed by gender-affirming names and pronouns. (Photo by Eric Thompson for the Baltimore Banner)

By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.

Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”

Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.

The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.